Using Ginger in the Age of Facebook, Twitter, Google Docs and More

By Brian S. Friedlander, Ph.D.

It has really been exciting to see the development of Ginger over the past couple of weeks as new features have been added. If you are using Ginger you will be glad to know that version 1.8 which has just been released is packed with some really great features. The new version includes:

• Improved correction of spelling and misused words

• Grammar correction (more grammar corrections to come in January 2010)

• Increased response time.

• A text-to-speech feature that reads text aloud before and after Ginger's corrections

• Easier to install and use

• Works with Microsoft Word, Outlook and Internet Explorer (perfect for Gmail, Yahoo! Mail, Facebook, Twitter etc.)
• A reporting tool for tracking user mistakes and progress

• Display settings that can be adjusted according to personal preferences

• "Add to dictionary" feature

 I have had a chance to work with the latest version of Ginger and am really amazed at its performance and the text to speech capabilities. Students will find the interface very simple and easy to use as the natural sounding text to speech support can go a long way to support students who may have difficulty reading the corrected sentence or suggested words. Ginger is an ideal tool for students with dyslexia since it provides the supports they need when proofing their written work. Being in the field of assistive technology, I am certainly aware of the power of these tools and what they can do to support students accessing the curriculum. But the other side of the formula is the importance that a tool link Ginger can bring to empower students to be independent and have the confidence to communicate in written form.

In the age of Facebook, Google Docs, and Twitter, students with writing disabilities are often cut off from the rest of their friends, if they cannot write effectively. Many students that I have worked with over the years are just too embarrassed to participate in these online forums because they can’t spell or write well. With Ginger, students can now have the confidence to be full participants

on the web as they share their ideas and communicate with their friends knowing that their written work will be letter perfect. Having the text to speech support for some students will go a long way to allow them to be independent and get their ideas down as they see fit. Working with the latest version of Ginger I marvel how versatile it is when using such services as Facebook, Google Docs, Twitter or commenting on a blog.

The latest version of Ginger really opens the doors for students with writing disabilities and provides them with a level of support that will give them the confidence to share their ideas with the friends and families over the web. If you have not tried Ginger please take the opportunity to download the 14 day trial and give it a test drive- you will be glad you did.